Cindy Nguyen: Dealership her home away from home

Cindy Nguyen started part time as a receptionist and worked hard to move into financing.

PHOTO: Ric Ernst, Postmedia News

Desire to spend time with her daughter and love of cars led to a career

By Alexandra Straub, Driving

Originally published: October 10, 2013

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Finding a balance between work and family isn’t easy. It’s even more challenging when you’re a single parent.

For Cindy Nguyen, finding meaningful employment that allowed her to spend time with her daughter was her No. 1 priority.

“At the time when I started out, I had a daughter, and I didn’t have time for a full-time job,” the 29-year old says. “But I wanted something to make ends meet.

“So, I applied as a receptionist at one of the Lower Mainland dealerships.”

Nguyen started working two to three days a week as she wanted to spend as much time at home as possible. Working at the reception desk for three months, Nguyen found the car industry really appealed to her.

“I wanted to do something or pursue a career within the industry. Being in the dealership and being around cars, to me, was exciting.”

Growing up, she spent a lot of time with her father going to various dealerships to check out the latest models. And, he was a mechanic, so her exposure to all things automotive started at a young age.

“Being around cars was always normal,” she says.

After a few months of working reception, she wanted more of a challenge. Through her role at the front desk, she was exposed to the finance office.

“The lady in there had held a very high position and she would always be sitting with customers, and the customers loved her.”

Curious about the position, Nguyen went to find out more about what that division of the dealership was all about.

“The funniest thing was, I had a chat with her, and I asked her, ‘In order for me to do what you do, is it difficult, is it hard, what should I be expecting?’ I’m not sure what it was, but she said, it’s very hard, it has a lot to do with numbers.”

Nguyen adds: “When she said it was difficult and that I shouldn’t get into it, it made me want to get into it even more … I wasn’t planning on stealing her job! I just wanted some words of wisdom.”

Through her determination and drive, Nguyen worked hard at achieving her personal goal, which was to take on a role in the finance office. She took courses

and learned the ropes, whether on her own or with her aunt, who operated a company that trained finance managers.

“I took her courses a few times, and the next thing you know, that’s what I had done for a year straight.”

She then joined a company which provided relief work for finance workers who needed coverage or for someone going on maternity leave.

This opportunity afforded her to be exposed to various dealerships and learn about a lot of brands. And of course, gave her valuable experience.

“The reason why I know I really enjoy this industry is that there were times when I would work 12-hour shifts. There are days when I would be at the dealership until 12 a.m. trying to meet deadlines.

“You know what? I would leave the dealership and I wouldn’t be tired and thought to myself, ‘I’d do it all over again,’ ” she adds.

And she continues to do so since her start in the industry in 2008.

Even with long days, and ups and downs, Nguyen says, “I enjoy every moment of it.”

After five years of being in the finance office, she wanted a change of scenery. So she pursued other interests, but after leaving for only a month, she realized the finance office is where she really loved to be.

When approached to work at Dilawri’s new Mercedes-Benz dealership in Langley as the financial services manager, she accepted with open arms.

“To me, the dealership is my second home. The people that I work with are my second family,” the mother of one says happily.

“I don’t consider this to be a job and I think that’s what gives me my drive to work the long hours, because I have so much fun doing it.”